JCU - Remote Access Options to JCU's Network

An InfoHelp How To...? Guide

The James Cook University Network (JCUNet) can be accessed remotely, in a number of ways, depending on what you want to do.

Access to Email and World Wide Web:

World-Wide Dial IP service (staff and postgraduates only)

Access to Homes Drive (I:\):

Remote Access to Homes Drive

Options to connect to JCU Network from remote locations.

This is a guide for options to connect to the Internet and the JCU network when you are away from campus. This may be at your home or traveling within Australia or overseas.

Access from Home

Primary Option -Internet Service Provider (ISP) .

The best way to connect to the Internet is using a broadband connection. These are supplied by ISP's. Townsville also has wireless broadband providers for locations that cannot get ADSL. Thirdly you can use a modem connection to get to your ISP.

Dial-up Modems

This service can offer download speeds from 9.6k up to 56kbps. These plans come with limited and unlimited connect times and downloads. Some ISP's also offer national and International roaming. That is, you may dial a local (or tollfree) number wherever you are to connect to your ISP. List of ISP's

Fixed Broadband

This is ADSL which can offer speeds from 256k up to 2Mbps. These plans come with limited or unlimted download quotas. This service is only available to some homes/locations. List of Broadband ISP's

JCU VPN service

Access from outside JCU is restricted by the firewall to certain servers and protocols. However you can use the JCU VPN service to "bypass" the firewall and obtain a JCU IP address that puts you "inside" the JCU firewall to access resources that may not be available through the firewall. Please see the VPN Guide for more detail on this service.

Wireless Broadband

This service can offer download speeds from 256k up to 768kbps and also comes with limited download quotas. The modem uses advanced mobile phone technology and can move around and stay connected within the coverage area. Also a department can purchase one modem service and issue it to various staff at different times. See: IQconnect or Telstra Mobility and there will be others.

Access from other Locations

To access the JCU network or the Internet while travelling, you have the following options.

1. Use your ISP's dial up connection.

2. JCU staff have the option of using Telstra's Dial Connect service. This gives access into the JCU network without having to use a VPN to get through the firewall. Connection charges are time and location based and charged back to a JCU charge number. See JCU/Telstra Dial Connect

3. Telstra also have a mobile phone based CDMA technology to provide high speed (144kbps) data connection to the Internet. See Telstra Mobility .

4. Wireless LAN access at "hotspots". (You need an 802.11b card in your laptop.)
This is a good way to get high speed access to the Internet from Airports, Hotels, Conferences, etc.

Telstra and Optus offer hotspots at most Airports. If you have a JCU/Telstra mobile phone then it is convenient to charge your occasional hotpsot usage to your mobile phone.(Cost about $5/15minutes) More regular usage would warrant investigation into a regular access account.
Remember that wireless LAN is very insecure and you MUST make sure that all your file shares are disabled and prefereably use a firewall on your laptop to prevent unauthorised access to your machine.
You MUST use the JCU VPN before typing in your JCU username/password combination while on the wireless LAN at ANY location.

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Remote Access Options to JCU's Network